Lighting a 15 gallon

[Luka]

Hey what's some good LED lighting for a 15 gallon? What would really help is a timer so I don't need to worry about turning them on and off etc. also moonlight/blue light. Thanks!!

 

[Dtackett]

well, usually I recommend the same thing I use which is a par30 from 21ledusa.com but for what you want, it may be best for you to run with something like a current usa orbit marine. they make them small enough for your tank, they will grow softies most lps and some sps in that small of a tank, and have all the bells and whistles.
the light I use
https://www.21ledusa.com/category_s/1842.htm
the orbit marine
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27873

 

[Reef2Javi]

What is your budget and what kind of coral are you looking to keep? @Luka

 

[Luka]

Budgets like max $170 and I am doing a mixed reef so

 

[Luka]

well, usually I recommend the same thing I use which is a par30 from 21ledusa.com but for what you want, it may be best for you to run with something like a current usa orbit marine. they make them small enough for your tank, they will grow softies most lps and some sps in that small of a tank, and have all the bells and whistles.
the light I use
https://www.21ledusa.com/category_s/1842.htm
the orbit marine
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27873

For the marine orbit ones would you recommend the 18-24" or the 24"-36" my tank has a length of 24" I actually do own the 18-24 one as of now.

 

[Luka]

Anyone know the answer to my question above??

 

[Maritimer]

Most of the "adjustable" lights I've seen call themselves that because they've got legs that can be stretched out to the greater length. It's still an 18" light, sitting over the center of a 24" tank, so I always try to go for the longer size if possible, to get end-to-end coverage.

I'm using one of the Mars Aqua "black box" lights from Ebay, and like it a lot so far. At full brightness, it'd be _way_ too much for a 15, but if dialed down, might work. (Note - not an authority! (>_<) ) Something you might consider if hanging the light is an option for you.

~B.

 

[oneyedfish]

Get one of the 50w black boxes from ebay.

 

[Luka]

Thanks for the replies.
Hanging it is possible but a complication as the ceiling isn't ideal for it. I will look into the boxes. A timer or something like that is really important for me though.

 

[Maritimer]

Timers can be had inexpensively or expensively ... I've got a basic Home Depot analog timer that comes on in the morning before I leave for work and shuts off at about 8 pm, and another (pricier) digital one (with a power-bar included) that's designed for aquariums, and comes on at about 11:00 and goes down at 7 pm. When the digital timer's daylight outlets shut off, its nighttime outlets power up, which will be helpful for refugia. Blue channel of the lights comes up first (analog timer), goes off last, white/multicolor channel is on for 8 hours (digital timer). That's as close as I'm getting to a sunrise/sunset/twilight period! These lights are dimmable, and currently running at their lowest setting. Ceiling above is typical drywall/sheetrock, and the hooks claim to hold 30# for each of 2, which is far more than half the fixture weighs.

Gives decent shimmer, too.

HTH, and good luck!

~Bruce

 

[Dtackett]

For the marine orbit ones would you recommend the 18-24" or the 24"-36" my tank has a length of 24" I actually do own the 18-24 one as of now.

I would go with the 24 if its in budget. youll have better spread as far as coverage and more wattage/par total. remember, the orbits cant keep everything, but they can keep most things you would probably want.

 

[Luka]

Okay thanks the marine orbit of it can keep a lot of stuff I think it will do fine. Thanks again!!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Was looking at these.
http://nanoboxreef.com/duo.html

 

[Mandrew]

I also have a Mars Aqua fixture, and it's over a 20g long. I made a PVC mount that sits on top of my tank so it didn't have to hang from the ceiling or the wall. I'm currently cycling so idk how well it grows coral but my lfs uses em on his frag tanks and recommends them. I paid around $85 on eBay for the fixture.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Got the same recommend. Spotty narrow beam though. Been looking at them. Do the lenses come off?

 

[Mandrew]

Honestly I haven't messed with it enough to know.

 

[Luka]

Wow nice mount! Tell me how it does. And did u get a timer or something as well?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Honestly I haven't messed with it enough to know.

If you raise it you ll get better spread.
spread the love, I mean par.
Ive been looking at 2 of those for my 55 but would have to pull the lenses to get the spread under mu hood. so was curious.

Mandrew check out the light i posted its got great par graphs

 

[NHreefguy]

Anyone know the answer to my question above??

I'd run the biggest one you can. The 24- 36" should be fine

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Budgets like max $170 and I am doing a mixed reef so

And craigslist and local forums man. Rich people throw away the best stuff. Snobs too.
Got a $400 JBJ unibody for $50. (it's Meh btw)